Camera module

ABSTRACT

A camera module according to the embodiment includes a housing; a lens barrel disposed in the housing to receive a lens; and an elastic member connecting the housing to the lens barrel, and comprising a first elastic part and a second elastic part bent from the first elastic part to have a height from a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens, which is different from a height of the first elastic part. Therefore, the camera module may automatically correct a shake and may adjust a focus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation application of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/413,723 filed Jan. 9, 2015, is a U.S NationalStage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No.PCT/KR2013/005915, filed Jul. 3, 2013, which claims priority to KoreanPatent Application Nos. 10-2012-0074378, filed Jul. 9, 2012 and10-2012-0079578 filed Jul. 20, 2012, whose entire disclosures are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The embodiment relates to a camera module.

2. Background

In general, a camera module is mounted on a vehicle, an endoscope or anIT (Information Technology) appliance such as a mobile communicationterminal or a laptop computer. Such a camera module is developed to havehundreds of thousands or millions of pixels. In addition, variousstudies and researches have been performed to miniaturize the cameramodule and to add various functions such as an AF (Auto Focusing) or anoptical zoom to the camera module at a low cost.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, the embodiment is provided to miniaturize a camera module andto add various functions to the camera module. That is, the embodimentis provided to add a shake correction function and an AF controlfunction to a camera module. In addition, the embodiment is provided tominiaturize a camera module.

Solution to Problem

According to the embodiment, there is provided a camera module includinga housing; a lens barrel disposed in the housing to receive a lens; andan elastic member connecting the housing to the lens barrel, andcomprising a first elastic part and a second elastic part bent from thefirst elastic part to have a height from a plane perpendicular to anoptical axis of the lens, which is different from a height of the firstelastic part.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the embodiment, the camera module may automatically correcta shake and may adjust a focus. That is, the driving unit may move thelens barrel corresponding to the housing and the elastic member mayprovide the restoring force corresponding to the lens barrel, so thatthe camera module may effectively correct the shake, and at the sametime, may adjust the focus. In addition, since the functions ofcorrecting the shake and adjusting the focus through the driving unitand the elastic member are achieved, the miniaturization of the cameramodule may be implemented. In other words, since various functions maybe achieved without adding many components, the miniaturization of thecamera module may be implemented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module accordingto the embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a camera module according to theembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an elastic member according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the first modification example of theelastic member according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the second modification example of theelastic member according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the third modification example of theelastic member according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a first example of the elastic part of theelastic member according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a second example of the elastic part of theelastic member according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a third example of the elastic part of theelastic member according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an elastic member according to the secondembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the elastic member according tothe second embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of region A in FIG. 11.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described in more detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals willbe used to refer to the same elements throughout the drawings. Inaddition, a detailed description of known functions and configurationswhich make the subject matter of the disclosure unclear will be omitted.

In the description of the embodiments, it will be understood that, whena lens, a unit, a part, a hole, a protrusion, a groove, or a layer isreferred to as being “on” or “under” another unit, part, hole,protrusion, groove, or layer, it can be “directly” or “indirectly” onthe other unit, part, hole, protrusion, groove, or layer, or one or moreintervening elements may also be present. Such a position of an elementhas been described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module accordingto the embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a cameramodule according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera module 100 according to theembodiment includes a lens assembly 110, a lens barrel 120, a filterunit 130, a sensor unit 140, a circuit substrate 150, a housing 160, adriving unit 170 and an elastic member 180.

The lens assembly 110 includes at least one lens 111, 113 and 115. Whenthe lens assembly 110 includes a plurality of lenses 111, 113 and 115,the lenses 111, 113 and 115 are sequentially stacked. For example, thelens assembly 110 may include first to third lenses 111 to 115. Thesecond lens 113 may be stacked on the first lens 111, and the third lens115 may be stacked on the second lens 113. In this case, spacers (notshown) may be interposed between the lenses 111, 113 and 115. Thespacers may allow the lenses 111, 113 and 115 to be spaced apart fromeach other so that gaps may be maintained between the lenses 111, 113and 115. The lens assembly 110 may have a circular outer shape. Or, thelens assembly 110 may have a rectangular outer shape.

The lens barrel 120 receives the lens assembly 110. That is, the lensbarrel 120 has a receiving groove 121 formed therein such that the lensassembly 110 is received in the receiving groove 121. The receivinggroove 121 may have a shape corresponding to the lens assembly 110. Thereceiving groove 121 may have a circular shape. The receiving groove 121may have a rectangular shape. The lens barrel 120 exposes the lensassembly 110. That is, the lens barrel 120 exposes the lens assembly 110such that light is incident upon the lens assembly 110.

The filter unit 130 is disposed below the lens barrel 120. The filterunit 130 filters the light incident from the lens assembly 110. In thiscase, the filter unit 130 may block infrared rays. That is, the filterunit 130 may block the light having a long wavelength. The filter unit130 may be formed by alternately deposing titanium oxide and siliconoxide on an optical glass. The optical property of the filter unit 130for blocking infrared rays may be adjusted with the thicknesses of thetitanium oxide and the silicon oxide.

The sensor unit 140 is disposed below the filter unit 130. The sensorunit 140 converts the incident light from the filter unit 130 into anelectric image signal. The sensor unit 140 includes a CCD (ChargeCoupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor).

The circuit substrate 150 is disposed below the sensor unit 140. Thatis, the sensor unit 140 is mounted on the circuit substrate 150. Thecircuit substrate 150 is electrically connected to the sensor unit 140.The sensor unit 140 is fixed to the circuit substrate 150. The circuitsubstrate 150 may include a PCB (Printed Circuit Board).

The housing 160 receives the lens barrel 120, the filter unit 130 andthe sensor unit 140. The housing 160 is mounted on the circuit substrate150. The housing 160 is fixed to the circuit substrate 150. The housing160 includes first and second housings 161 and 169.

The first housing 161 receives the lens barrel 120. The first housing161 includes an outer part 163 and a cover part 165. The outer part 163surrounds the lens barrel 120. The outer part 163 covers an upperportion of the lens barrel 120. A light input groove 167 is formed atthe central portion of the cover part 165, so that the lens assembly 110is exposed through the light input groove 167. That is, the cover part165 allows the lens assembly 110 to be exposed therethrough such thatlight is incident upon the lens assembly 110. The first housing 161 mayhave a rectangular outer shape. Or, the first housing 161 may have acircular outer shape. In addition, the first housing 161 may be formedof plastic or metal.

The second housing 169 receives the filter unit 130 and the sensor unit140. The second housing 169 is coupled to a lower portion of the firsthousing 161. The second housing 169 is mounted on the top surface of thecircuit substrate 150. The second housing 169 is fixed to the circuitsubstrate 150. The filter unit 130 may be fixed to the second housing169. That is, the second housing 169 may allow the filter unit 130 to bedisposed between the lens assembly 110 and the sensor unit 140. Thesecond housing 169 may have an outer shape corresponding to that of thefirst housing 161. The second housing 169 may have a rectangular outershape. Or, the second housing 169 may have a circular outer shape. Inaddition, the second housing 169 may be formed of plastic or metal.

The driving unit 170 is fixed to the lens barrel 120 and the housing160. The driving unit 170 drives the lens barrel 120 with respect to thehousing 160. That is, the driving unit 170 moves the lens barrel 120. Inother words, the driving unit 170 moves the lens barrel 120 inthree-axis directions of up/down, front/rear and left/right directions.In the following description, the left/right direction will be referredto as an X-axis direction, the front/rear direction will be referred toas a Y-axis direction and the up/down direction will be referred to as aZ-axis direction. That is, X-axis and Y-axis are perpendicular to eachother in perpendicular to an OA (Optical Axis), and Z-axis correspondsto the OA. The driving unit 170 utilizes a magnetic force. The drivingunit 170 includes a first driving unit 171 and a second driving unit177.

The first driving unit 171 is fixed to the housing 160. The firstdriving unit 171 may be attached to the inner surface of the housing160. The first driving unit 171 includes a horizontal driving unit 173and a vertical driving unit 175. The horizontal driving unit 173 isfixed to the first housing 161. The horizontal driving unit 173 isdisposed on a side portion of the lens barrel 120. The horizontaldriving unit 173 may be attached to the inner surface of the outer part163. The horizontal driving unit 173 may apply a magnetic force in thedirection perpendicular to the OA, that is, in the front/rear directionor the left/right direction. The vertical driving unit 175 is fixed tothe second housing 169. The vertical driving unit 175 is disposed at thelower portion of the lens barrel 120. The vertical driving unit 175 isdisposed at an end of the receiving groove 121. The vertical drivingunit 175 may apply a magnetic force in the direction parallel with theOA, that is, in the up/down direction.

The first driving unit 171 may include a coil. The horizontal drivingunit 173 may be formed by winding the coil about the axis perpendicularto the OA. Further, the vertical driving unit 175 may be formed bywinding the coil about the axis parallel with the OA. In addition, thefirst driving unit 171 may be electrically connected to the circuitsubstrate 150. The first driving unit 171 may apply a magnetic force atan angle in the range of about 20° to about 70° from the planeperpendicular to the OA.

The second driving unit 177 is fixed to the lens barrel 120. The seconddriving unit 177 may be attached to an outer surface of the lens barrel120. The second driving unit faces the first driving unit 171. Thesecond driving unit 177 faces the vertical driving unit 173 in thedirection parallel with the OA. The second driving unit 177 faces thehorizontal driving unit 175 in the direction perpendicular to the OA.The second driving unit 177 faces the first driving unit 171 while thesecond driving unit 177 is spaced apart from the first driving unit 171.A gap between the first and second driving units 171 and 177 may be inthe range of about 50 μm to about 1000 μm In addition, the seconddriving unit 177 may have a plate shape. The second driving unit 177 mayhave a rectangular shape.

The second driving unit 177 may include a magnetic material. The seconddriving unit 177 may be formed of a magnetic material. The magneticmaterial includes iron oxide, CoFe2O4, or ferrite. The second drivingunit 177 may be electrically connected to the circuit substrate 150. Themagnetization direction of the second driving unit 177 may be inclinedto the OA. The magnetization direction of the second driving unit 177may be inclined from the plane perpendicular to the OA. An angle betweenthe magnetization direction of the second driving unit 177 and the planeperpendicular to the OA may be in the range of about −20° to about −70°.

Meanwhile, although it is describe in the embodiment that the firstdriving unit 171 includes a coil and the second driving unit 177includes a magnetic material, the embodiment is not limited thereto.That is, even though the first driving unit 171 includes a magneticmaterial and the second driving unit 177 includes a coil, the embodimentmay be implemented.

A repulsive force or an attractive force may be generated between thefirst and second driving units 171 and 177. That is, the first drivingunit 171 may apply the repulsive force or the attractive force to thesecond driving unit 177. Since the repulsive force and the attractiveforce have the relative concept, the repulsive force or the attractiveforce applied from the first driving unit 171 to the second driving unit177 may be substantially identical to the repulsive force or theattractive force applied from the second driving unit 177 to the firstdriving unit 171.

The elastic member 180 is disposed in the housing 160. The elasticmember 180 connects the lens barrel 120 to the housing 160. The elasticmember 180 allows the lens barrel 120 to be move relative to the housing160. The elastic member 180 is fixed to the lens barrel 120 and thehousing 161. The elastic member 180 is fixed to the first housing 161.In addition, the elastic member 180 may be fixed to the first housing161. The elastic member 180 can be fixed to the first housing 161 whilebeing spaced apart from the first housing 161 in the direction parallelwith the OA by at least 500 μm

The elastic member 180 provides a restoring force. That is, the elasticmember 180 provides a restoring force corresponding to the movement ofthe lens barrel 120 relative to the housing 160. In this case, theelastic member 180 may provide a restoring force in the directionopposite to the moving direction of the lens barrel 180. The elasticmember 180 may include a spring. The elastic member 180 may include aplate-type spring. The elastic member 180 may have a thickness in therange of about 30 μm to about 150 μm. In addition, the elastic member180 may include a metallic material. An elastic part 185 may be made ofa metallic alloy. The elastic member 180 may include a polymer material.In this case, the elastic part 185 may be made of a polymer material.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an elastic member according to the firstembodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the first modification exampleof the elastic member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is aplan view showing the second modification example of the elastic memberaccording to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing thethird modification example of the elastic member according to the firstembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the elastic member 180 according to theembodiment includes an inner frame 181, an outer frame 183 and aplurality of elastic parts 185.

The inner frame 181 is disposed at the inmost portion of the elasticmember 180. The inner frame 181 may have a closed shape. The inner frame181 may surround the OA. In this case the inner frame 181 may surroundthe receiving groove 121. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the inner frame181 may have a circular shape. As shown in FIG. 6, the inner frame 181may have a polygonal shape. The inner frame 181 may be fixed to the lensbarrel 120.

The outer frame 183 is disposed at the outmost portion of the elasticmember 180. The outer frame 183 may have a closed shape. The outer frame183 may surround the OA. In this case, the outer frame 183 may surroundthe inner frame 181 at an outside of the inner frame 181. That is, theouter frame 183 may surround the inner frame 181 at the position spacedapart from the inner frame 181. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the outerframe 183 may have a polygonal shape. Although not shown, the outerframe 183 may be disposed on the same plate as that of the inner frame181. That is, the outer frame 183 may have the same height as that ofthe inner frame 181 on the plane perpendicular to the OA. The outerframe 183 may be fixed to the housing 160.

The elastic parts 185 connect the inner frame 181 to the outer frame183. In this case, the elastic parts 185 are disposed between the innerframe 181 and the outer frame 183. The elastic parts 185 are distributedat the same rotation angle about the OA. For example, when the elasticmember 180 includes three elastic parts 185, the three elastic parts 185may be spaced apart from each other at the rotation angle of 120°.Meanwhile, when the elastic member 180 includes four elastic parts 185,the four elastic parts 185 may be spaced apart from each other at therotation angle of 90°.

In addition, the elastic parts 185 may have the same shape. As shown inFIG. 3, the elastic parts 185 may have the same shape. For example, theelastic parts 185 may have an L-shape on the plane perpendicular to theOA. Further, the elastic parts 185 may be rotated at mutually differentangles, respectively, at their positions.

Further, the elastic parts 185 may have mutually different shapes. Asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the elastic parts 185 may have mutuallydifferent shapes. For example, some of the elastic parts 185 may have anL-shape. In addition, some of the elastic parts 185 may be rotated atmutually different angles, respectively, at their positions. Theremaining of the elastic parts 185 may have a reverse-L shape. Inaddition, the remaining of the elastic parts 185 may be rotated atmutually different angles, respectively, at their positions.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the elastic parts 185 may have a shapesuch that the elastic parts 185 are symmetrical to each other about theplane formed by one axis perpendicular to the OA. That is, the elasticparts 185 may have a shape such that the elastic parts 185 aresymmetrical to each other about the plane formed by, for example, the Zand X-axes. Of course, the elastic parts 185 may have a shape such thatthe elastic parts 185 are symmetrical to each other about the planeformed by, for example, the Z and Y-axes.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 5, the elastic parts 185 may be symmetricalto each other about the plane formed by the OA and one axis as well asthe plane formed by the OA and the other axis perpendicular to the oneaxis. That is, the elastic parts 185 may have a shape such that theelastic parts 185 are symmetrical to each other about the plane formedby the Z and Y-axes as well as the plane formed by the Z and X-axes.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a first example of the elastic part of theelastic member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 a is a planview showing the elastic part and FIG. 7 b is a sectional view takenalong line A-B of FIG. 7 a.

Referring to FIG. 7, the elastic part 185 includes first and secondelastic parts 187 and 189.

The first elastic part 187 is fixed to the housing 160. The firstelastic part 187 is fixed to the outer frame 183. That is, the firstelastic part 187 is fixed to the first housing 161 through the outerframe 183.

The second elastic part 189 extends from the first elastic part 187. Thesecond elastic part 189 is fixed to the lens barrel 120. In this case,the second elastic part 189 is fixed to the inner frame 185. That is,the second elastic part 189 is fixed to the lens barrel 120.

The second elastic part 189 includes a group of unit pieces 191, 193,195 and 197. The group of unit pieces 191, 192, 193 and 194 includes afirst unit piece 191, a second unit piece 192, a third unit piece 193and a fourth unit piece 194. The elastic part 185 is defined by sixconnecting points P₁, P₂, P₃, P₄, P₅ and P₆. The first to fourth unitpieces 191 to 194 may be sequentially connected to each other at the sixconnecting points P₁, P₂, P₃, P₄, P₅ and P₆, and may be distinguishedfrom each other based on at least one of a gradient from the OA and aheight from the plane perpendicular to the OA.

The first elastic part 187 is connected to the first housing 161 at thefirst connecting point P₁. The first elastic part 187 extends from thefirst connecting point P₁ to the second connecting point P₂. The firstelastic part 187 has a first length L₀ in the direction perpendicular tothe OA.

The second elastic part 189 is connected to the first elastic part 187at the second connecting point P₂. The second elastic part 189 extendsfrom the second connecting point P₂ to the sixth connecting point P₆.The second elastic part 189 is connected to the lens barrel 120 at thesixth connecting point P₆. The second elastic part 189 includes a firstunit piece 191, a second unit piece 192, a third unit piece 193 and afourth unit piece 194.

The first unit piece 191 is connected to the second connecting point P2.The first unit piece 191 extends from the second connecting point P₂ tothe third connecting point P₃. The first unit piece 191 extends in thedirection inclined at a first gradient θ₁. The first gradient θ₁ may bein the range of about 0° to about 70°. The first unit piece 191 has afirst unit length L₁ in the direction perpendicular to the OA.

The second unit piece 192 is connected to the first unit piece 191. Thesecond unit piece 192 extends from the third connecting point P₃ to thefourth connecting point P₄. The second unit piece 192 extends in thedirection perpendicular to the OA. The height of the second unit piece192 from the plane perpendicular to the OA may be different from that ofthe first elastic part 187. The second unit piece 192 has a second unitlength L₂ in the direction perpendicular to the OA.

The third unit piece 193 is connected to the second unit piece 192 atthe fourth connecting point P₄. The third unit piece 193 extends fromthe fourth connecting point P₄ to the fifth connecting point P₅. Thethird unit piece 193 extends in the direction inclined at a secondgradient θ₂ from the OA. The second gradient θ₂ may be in the range ofabout 0° to about −70°. The third unit piece 193 has a third unit lengthL₃ in the direction perpendicular to the OA.

The fourth unit piece 194 is connected to the third unit piece 193 atthe fifth connecting point P₅. The fourth unit piece 194 extends fromthe fifth connecting point P₅ to the sixth connecting point P₆. Thefourth unit piece 194 is connected to the lens barrel 120 at the sixthconnecting point P₆. The fourth unit piece 194 extends in the directionperpendicular to the OA. The height of the fourth unit piece 194 fromthe plane perpendicular to the OA may be different from that of thefirst elastic part 187 or the second unit piece 192. In addition, thefourth unit piece 194 has a fourth unit length L₄ in the directionperpendicular to the OA.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a second example of the elastic part of theelastic member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 a is a planview showing the elastic part and FIG. 8 b is a sectional view takenalong line A-B of FIG. 8 a.

Referring to FIG. 8, the elastic part 185 according to the presentexample includes first and second elastic parts 187 and 189. The secondelastic part 189 is formed by connecting at least two groups of unitpieces 191, 192, 193 and 194 to each other. The groups of unit pieces191, 192, 193 and 194 have the same structure and shape.

In the present embodiment, since each group of the unit pieces 191, 192,193 and 194 of the first and second elastic parts 187 and 189 is similarto the group described above, the detailed description thereof will beomitted. However, when the second elastic part 189 includes two groups,each of which includes the unit pieces 191 to 194, the elastic part 185is distinguished by ten connecting points P₁, P₂, P₃, P₄, P₅, P₆, P₇,P₈, P₉ and P₁₀.

That is, the first elastic part 187 is connected to the first housing161 at the first connecting point P₁. The first elastic part 187 extendsfrom the first connecting point P₁ to the second connecting point P₂.The second elastic part 189 is connected to the first elastic part 187at the second connecting point P₂. The second elastic part 189 extendsfrom the second connecting point P₂ to the tenth connecting point P₁₀.The second elastic part 189 is connected to the lens barrel 120 at thetenth connecting point P₁₀.

In the second elastic part 189, the groups of unit pieces 191 to 194 areconnected to each other at the sixth connecting point P₆. That is, thefourth unit piece 194 of the first group of the unit pieces 191 to 194is connected to the first unit piece 191 of the second group of unitpieces 191 to 194 at the sixth connecting point P₆. In addition, thefourth unit piece 194 of the second group of the unit pieces 191 to 194is connected to the lens barrel 120 at the tenth connecting point P₁₀.

Further, the first and second unit pieces 191 and 192 of the secondgroup of the unit pieces 191 to 194 are connected to each other at theseventh connecting point P₇. The second and third unit pieces 192 and193 are connected to each other at the seventh connecting point P₈. Thethird and fourth unit pieces 193 and 194 are connected to each other atthe seventh connecting point P₉. In addition, the fourth unit piece 194is connected to the lens barrel 120 at the tenth connecting point P₁₀.

Meanwhile, although the second elastic part 189 of the present example,which includes two groups of unit pieces 191 to 194, is described, theembodiment is not limited thereto. That is, even if the second elasticpart 189 includes two groups of unit pieces 191 to 194 or over, theembodiment can be implemented. In this case, the elastic part 185 may bedefined by more than ten connecting points P₁, P₂, P₃, P₄, P₅, P₆, P₇,P₈, P₉, P₁₀, . . . , and P_(N).

FIG. 9 is a view showing a third example of the elastic part of theelastic member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 a is a planview showing the elastic part and FIGS. 9 b, 9 c are sectional viewstaken along line A-B of FIG. 9 a.

Referring to FIG. 9, the elastic part 185 according to the presentexample includes first and second elastic parts 187 and 189. The secondelastic part 189 includes a group of unit pieces 191 to 198. The groupof unit pieces 191 to 198 includes first to eighth unit pieces 191 to198. The elastic part 185 is divided by ten connecting points P1 to P10.The first to eighth unit pieces 191 to 198 are sequentially connected toeach other at the ten connecting points P1 to P10.

In the present example, since each of the unit pieces 191, 192, 193 and194 of the first and second elastic parts 187 and 189 is similar to theabove, the detailed description will be omitted. Only, the elastic part185 of the present example further includes the fifth to eighth unitpieces 195 to 198.

That is, the first elastic part 187 is connected to the first housing161 at the first connecting point P1. The first elastic part 187 extendsfrom the first connecting point P1 to the second connecting point P₂.The second elastic part 189 is connected to the first elastic part 187at the second connecting point P₂. The second elastic part 189 extendsfrom the second connecting point P₂ to the tenth connecting point P₁₀.The second elastic part 189 is connected to the lens barrel 120 at thetenth connecting point P₁₀.

The fifth unit piece 195 is connected to the first elastic part 187 atthe sixth connecting point P₆. The fifth unit piece 195 extends from thesixth connecting point P₆ to the seventh connecting point P₇. The fifthunit piece 195 extends in the direction inclined at the third gradientθ₃. The third gradient θ₃ is in the range of about 0° to about 70°. Thefifth unit piece 195 has a fifth unit length L₅ in the directionperpendicular to the OA.

The sixth unit piece 196 is connected to the fifth unit piece 195 at theseventh connecting point P₇. The sixth unit piece 196 extends from theseventh connecting point P₇ to the eighth connecting point P₈. The sixthunit piece 196 extends in the direction perpendicular to the OA. Theheight of the sixth unit piece 196 from the plane perpendicular to theOA may be different from that of at least one of the first elastic part187, the second unit piece 192 and the fourth unit piece 194. Inaddition, the sixth unit piece 196 has a fourth unit length L₆ in thedirection perpendicular to the OA.

The seventh unit piece 197 is connected to the sixth unit piece 196 atthe eighth connecting point P₈. The seventh unit piece 197 extends fromthe eighth connecting point P₈ to the ninth connecting point P₉. Theseventh unit piece 197 extends in the direction inclined at the fourthgradient θ₄. The fourth gradient θ₄ is in the range of about 0° to about−70°. The seventh unit piece 197 has a seventh unit length L, in thedirection perpendicular to the OA.

The eighth unit piece 198 is connected to the seventh unit piece 197 atthe ninth connecting point P₉. The eighth unit piece 198 extends fromthe ninth connecting point P₉ to the tenth connecting point P10. Theeighth unit piece 198 is connected to the lens barrel 120 at the tenthconnecting point P10. The eighth unit piece 198 extends in the directionperpendicular to the OA. The height of the eighth unit piece 198 fromthe plane perpendicular to the OA may be different from that of at leastone of the first elastic part 187, the second unit piece 192, the fourthunit piece 194 and the sixth unit piece 196. In addition, the eighthunit piece 198 has an eighth unit length L₈ in the directionperpendicular to the OA.

Meanwhile, even though the second elastic part 189 is formed byconnecting at least two groups of unit pieces 191 to 198 to each other,the embodiment can be implemented. The groups of unit pieces 191 to 198have the same structure and shape. The elastic part 185 may be definedby more than ten connecting points P₁, P₂, P₃, P₄, P₅, P₆, P₇, P₈, P₉,P₁₀, . . . , and P_(N).

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an elastic member according to the secondembodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the elastic memberaccording to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view ofregion A in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the elastic member 180 according to thesecond embodiment includes an inner frame 181, an outer frame 183 and aplurality of elastic parts 185. Since the configurations of the innerframe 181, the outer frame 183 and the plurality of elastic parts 185are similar to those described above, the detailed description thereofwill be omitted.

However, each elastic part 185 includes an inner side connecting part210, an outer side connecting part 220, a first elastic part 230 and atleast one second elastic part 240. The first elastic part 230 has thesame thickness as that of the second elastic part 240. In this case, thesecond elastic part 240 may be at least 50% of the elastic part 185.

The inner side connecting part 210 is connected to the inner frame 181.In this case, the inner side connecting part 210 is fixed to the innerframe 181. The inner side connecting part 210 may be fixed to the lensbarrel 120 through the inner frame 181. The inner side connecting part210 may be protruded from the inner frame 181 toward the outer frame181. The inner side connecting part 210 may be disposed on the sameplane as the inner frame 181. That is, the inner side connecting part210 may have the same height as that of the inner frame 181 from theplane perpendicular to the OA.

The outer side connecting part 220 is connected to the outer frame 183.In this case, the outer side connecting part 220 is fixed to the outerframe 183. The outer side connecting part 220 may be fixed to thehousing 160 through the outer frame 183. The outer side connecting part220 may be protruded from the outer frame 183 toward the inner frame181. The outer side connecting part 220 may be disposed on the sameplane as the outer frame 183. That is, the outer side connecting part220 may have the same height as that of the outer frame 183 from theplane perpendicular to the OA

The first elastic part 230 is disposed between the inner and outerframes 181 and 183. The first elastic part 230 may be bent at least onetime. The first elastic part 230 is bent and extends on the planeperpendicular to the OA. For example, the first elastic part 230 mayextend in the direction parallel with the Y-axis and then, may be bentsuch that the first elastic part 230 may extend in the directionparallel with the X-axis. Further, the first elastic part 230 may extendin the direction parallel with the X-axis and then, may be bent suchthat the first elastic part 230 may extend in the direction parallelwith the Y-axis.

In this case, the first elastic part 230 may be directly connected tothe inner side connecting part 210 or the outer side connecting part220. That is, the first elastic part 230 may extend from one of theinner and outer side connecting parts 210 and 220. The first elasticpart 230 may make contact with the inner side connecting part 210 or theouter side connecting part 220. Also, the first elastic part 230 mayextend from one of the inner and outer side connecting parts 210 and220. The first elastic part 230 may not be directly connected to theinner and outer side connecting parts 210 and 220. That is, the firstelastic part 230 may be spaced apart from the inner and outer sideconnecting parts 210 and 220.

The first elastic part 230 may be disposed on the same plane as at leastone of the inner and outer side connecting parts 210 and 220. That is,the first elastic part 230 may have the same height as that of at leastone of the inner and outer side connecting parts 210 and 220 from theplane perpendicular to the OA. Here, the first elastic part 230 may havea thickness in the range of about 30 μm to about 150 μm

The second elastic part 240 is connected to the first elastic part 230.The second elastic part 240 extends from the first elastic part 230. Inthis case, the second elastic part 240 may be connected to the innerside connecting part 210. The second elastic part 240 may be connectedto the outer side connecting part 220. The second elastic part 240 isformed through a bending from the first elastic part 230. That is, thesecond elastic part 240 may connect the inner side connecting part 210and the first elastic part 230 to each other and may be bent from theinner side connecting part 210 and the first elastic part 230. Thesecond elastic part 240 may connect the outer side connecting part 220and the first elastic part 230 to each other and may be bent from theouter side connecting part 220 and the first elastic part 230.

The second elastic part 240 may be bent at least one time. That is, thesecond elastic part 240 may be bent and extend on the planeperpendicular to the OA. For example, after the second elastic part 240extends from the first elastic part 230 and is bent, the second elasticpart 240 may extend. Here, the second elastic part 240 may be bent andextend from the first elastic part 230. Further, after the secondelastic part 240 extends from the inner or outer side connecting part210 or 220, the second elastic part 240 may be bent and extend. Here,after the second elastic part 240 is bent from the inner or outer sideconnecting part 210 or 220, the second elastic part 240 may be bent.

Thus, the second elastic part 240 is disposed on the plane differentfrom that of the first elastic part 230. That is, the second elasticpart 240 has a height different from that of the first elastic part 230from the plane perpendicular to the OA. The second elastic part 240 mayhave a height higher than that of the first elastic part 230. In thiscase, the second elastic part 240 has the same thickness as that of thefirst elastic part 230. The second elastic part 240 may have a thicknessin the range of 30 μm to 150 μm A length of the second elastic part 240may be equal to or longer than that of the first elastic part 230. Inthis case, the second elastic part 240 may be at least 50% of theelastic part 185.

In addition, the second elastic part 240 includes a horizontal part 241and a bending part 243. A thickness of the horizontal part 241 is equalto that of the bending part 243.

The horizontal part 241 is disposed in parallel with the planeperpendicular to the OA. That is, the horizontal part 241 has a heightfrom the plane perpendicular to the OA, which is substantially differentfrom that of the first elastic part 230. In this case, the horizontalpart 241 may be higher or lower than the first elastic part 230. Thehorizontal part 241 may have a first horizontal length HL₁ between thefirst elastic part 230 and the inner side connecting part 210. Further,the horizontal part 241 may have a second horizontal length HL₂ betweenthe first elastic part 230 and the outer side connecting part 220. Inthis case, the first horizontal length HL₁ is equal to or different fromthe second horizontal length HL₂. In addition, the horizontal part 241may have a thickness in the range of about 30 μm to about 150 μm

The bending part 243 connects the horizontal part 241 to the firstelastic part 230. The bending part 243 extends from the horizontal part241. The bending part 243 is connected to the first elastic part 230.The bending part 243 may connect the inner side connecting part 210 tothe horizontal part 241. In this case, the bending part 243 may extendfrom the horizontal part 241 such that the bending part 243 may beconnected to the inner side connecting part 210. In addition, thebending part 243 may connect the outer side connecting part 220 to thehorizontal part 241. The bending part 243 may extend from the horizontalpart 241 such that the bending part 243 may be connected to the outerside connecting part 220.

In addition, the bending part 243 may be inclined from the first elasticpart 230 at a gradient in the range of 30° to 90°. The bending part 243may be inclined from the first elastic part 230 and between the firstelastic part 230 and the inner side connecting part 210 at a fifthgradient θ₅. The bending part 243 may be inclined from the first elasticpart 230 and between the first elastic part 230 and the outer sideconnecting part 220 at a sixth gradient θ₆. The fifth gradient θ₅ may beequal to or different from the sixth gradient θ₆. In addition, thebending part 243 has a thickness equal to that of the horizontal part241. The thickness of the bending part 243 may be in the range of 30 μmto 150 μm

For example, when the elastic part 185 includes a plurality of secondelastic parts 240, the second elastic parts 240 may connect the firstelastic part 230 and the first elastic part 230 to the inner sideconnecting part 210 and the outer side connecting part 220,respectively. In this case, the second elastic parts 240 may have thesame height from the plane perpendicular to the OA. To the contrary, thesecond elastic parts 240 may have mutually different heights from theplane perpendicular to the OA.

Meanwhile, although it is disclosed in the embodiment as one examplethat the elastic part 185 includes one first elastic part 230, theembodiment is not limited thereto. That is, even though the elastic part185 includes the plurality of first elastic parts 230, the elastic part185 is applicable to the embodiment. In this case, the first elasticparts 230 are connected to each other through the second elastic part240. The second elastic part 240 is bent between the first elastic parts230.

According to the above described embodiments, the elastic part 185 mayhave elasticity corresponding to up/down, left/right and front/reardirections. In this case, the elastic part 185 may have each elasticmodulus corresponding to up/down, left/right and front/rear directions.A ratio of a first elastic modulus corresponding to the up/downdirection to a second elastic modulus corresponding to the left/rightdirection (first elastic modulus/second elastic modulus) may be in therange of 2.0 to 8.0. A ratio of the second elastic modulus correspondingto the left/right direction to the third elastic modulus correspondingto the front/rear direction (second elastic modulus/third elasticmodulus) may be in the range of 0.8 to 1.25.

The elastic part 185 may provide a restoring force in the directionopposite to the moving direction of the lens barrel 120 corresponding tothe movement of the lens barrel 120. That is, the elastic part 185 maybe modified according to at least one of the up/down, left/right andfront/rear directions. In this case, the elastic part 185 may providethe restoring force for restoring the elastic part 185 to a previousstate. A ratio of a horizontal modification displacement correspondingto the left/right and front/rear directions to the vertical modificationdisplacement corresponding to the up/down direction (horizontalmodification displacement/vertical modification displacement) may beless than 0.05.

Meanwhile, although it is disclosed in the embodiment as one examplethat the camera module 100 includes one elastic member 180, theembodiment is not limited thereto. That is, even though the cameramodule 100 includes a plurality of elastic members 180, the plurality ofelastic members 180 is applicable to the embodiment. The elastic members180 are stacked in parallel with the OA. The elastic members 180 arespaced apart from each other in parallel with the OA. For example, thegap distance between the elastic members 180 may be about 500 μm ormore. The elastic members 180 may have the same shape or mutuallydifferent shapes. Further, the elastic members 180 are individuallyconnected to the lens barrel 120 and the housing 160.

In addition, the camera module 100 according to the embodiment may bedriven by the following method.

That is, if a shake is sensed in the camera module 100, the driving unit170 allows the lens barrel 120 to move corresponding to the housing 160.The driving unit 170 may move the lens barrel 120 according to a controlsignal received through the circuit substrate 150. In this case, thelens barrel 120 may move in at least one of the left/right andfront/rear directions according to a voltage applied to the horizontaldriving unit 173 of the first driving unit 171. The lens barrel 120 maymove in the up/down direction according to a voltage applied to thevertical driving unit 175 of the first driving unit 171. The elasticmember 180 provides the restoring force corresponding to the movement ofthe lens barrel 120. Thus, the shake of the camera module 100 may becompensated.

In addition, the driving unit 170 and the elastic member 180 of thecamera module 100 automatically adjust the focus of the lens assembly120. That is, the driving unit 170 and the elastic member 180automatically adjust a focal length between the lens assembly 120 andthe sensing unit 140. In this case, the vertical driving unit 175 of thefirst driving unit 171 applies a repulsive force to the second drivingunit 177, so that the focal length may be increased. To the contrary,the vertical driving unit 175 of the first driving unit 171 applies anattractive force to the second driving unit 177, so that the focallength may be decreased.

Therefore, the camera module 100 according to the embodiment mayautomatically correct a shake and may adjust a focus. That is, thedriving unit 170 may move the lens barrel 120 corresponding to thehousing 160 and the elastic member 180 may provide the restoring forcecorresponding to the lens barrel 120, so that the camera module 100 mayeffectively correct the shake and at the same time, may adjust thefocus. In addition, since the functions of correcting the shake andadjusting the focus through the driving unit 170 and the elastic member180 are achieved, the miniaturization of the camera module 100 may beimplemented. In other words, since various functions may be achievedwithout adding many components, the miniaturization of the camera module100 may be implemented.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera module comprising: a housing including afirst housing and a second housing disposed under the first housing; alens barrel disposed in the first housing; a driving unit including afirst driving module and a second driving module, the first drivingmodule disposed between the first housing and the lens barrel andincluding a first coil and a magnet, the second driving module includinga second coil disposed on the second housing and the magnet, a sensorunit disposed under a portion of the second housing, wherein the firsthousing includes four side surfaces, wherein the magnet includes fourmagnets, each magnet having a shape of plate and facing one of the fourside surfaces of the first housing, respectively, and wherein the secondcoil includes four coils, each coil disposed between the second housingand the four magnets, respectively, and wound around an axis parallelwith an optical axis of the lens barrel.
 2. The camera module of claim1, wherein a distance between the second coil and the sensor unitremains constant when the driving unit moves the lens barrel.
 3. Thecamera module of claim 1, further comprising an elastic memberconnecting the housing and the lens barrel, and including a firstelastic part and a second elastic part bent from the first elastic part.4. The camera module of claim 3, wherein a ratio of a first elasticmodulus corresponding to a first axis perpendicular to the optical axisof the lens barrel to a second elastic modulus corresponding to a secondaxis perpendicular to the optical axis and the first axis in the elasticmember is in a range of 0.8 to 1.25.
 5. The camera module of claim 3,wherein the second elastic part includes a portion having a thicknessequal to a thickness of the first elastic part, and wherein thethickness is in a range of 30 μm to 150 μm.
 6. The camera module ofclaim 4, wherein a ration of a horizontal modification displacementcorresponding to a direction parallel with a surface defined by thefirst axis and the second axis to a vertical modification displacementcorresponding to a direction parallel with the optical axis in theelastic member is less than 0.05.
 7. The camera module of claim 4,wherein the elastic member further comprises: an outer frame connectedto the housing and the first elastic part; and an inner frame connectedto the lens barrel and the second elastic part.
 8. The camera module ofclaim 7, wherein the elastic member comprises a plurality of elasticparts connecting the outer frame to the inner frame and distributed at asame rotation angle with reference to the optical axis of the lensbarrel.
 9. The camera module of claim 8, wherein the plurality ofelastic parts have structures symmetrical to each other with referenceto a plane defined by the optical axis and the first axis.
 10. Thecamera module of claim 8, wherein the plurality of elastic parts havestructures symmetrical to each other with reference to a plane definedby the optical axis and the second axis.
 11. The camera module of claim1, further comprising a filter disposed between the lens barrel and thesensor unit.
 12. The camera module of claim 1, further comprising acircuit board disposed under the sensor unit and coupled to the secondhousing.
 13. The camera module of claim 12, wherein the first coil andthe second coil are electrically connected to the circuit board.
 14. Thecamera module of claim 1, wherein the first driving module is coupled tothe first housing and the lens barrel.
 15. The camera module of claim 1,wherein the second coil is coupled to an upper surface of the secondhousing and the magnet moves relative to the second housing.
 16. Thecamera module of claim 1, wherein the first driving module and thesecond driving module move the lens barrel relative to the sensor unit.17. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the driving unit moves thelens barrel with reference to the housing in three-axis directionsperpendicular to each other.
 18. The camera module of claim 1, whereinan uppermost surface of the second coil is disposed lower than a bottomsurface of the magnet.
 19. The camera module of claim 1, wherein anuppermost surface of the second coil is disposed lower than a bottomsurface of the first coil.
 20. The camera module of claim 1, wherein adistance between the second housing and the sensor unit remains constantwhen the driving unit moves the lens barrel.